- Joined
- Jun 12, 2026
- Messages
- 1
- Points
- 1
- City
- Pittsboro
- State - Country
- NC - USA
- Vehicle Year
- 1998
- Vehicle
- Ford Ranger
- Drive
- 4WD
- Engine
- 4.0 V6
- Transmission
- Automatic
I figured I would share because I’ve chased this for 7 years, even broke down and took it to two different mechanics.
It would randomly stall when I was at red lights, stop signs, and sometimes when coming to stops or slowing down. More so when the weather was warmer. I tried: MAF sensor, idle air control valve, evap valve, new coil, cleaned throttle body, replaced leaky brake booster, checked for vacuum leaks, probably several other things. I would get hopeful a few times, but it always came back. I would get codes about lean cylinders.
Here is the part where I feel dumb. It started having problems shifting into drive out of park. I’ve had that before on a 70s chevy truck that leaked transmission fluid, so I knew that my fluid was probably low. I changed fluid and filter when I got it in 2008, hadn’t checked fluid once since then. I pull out the dipstick, not even registering on the dipstick. I chastised myself for being dumb and not checking it.
Then it hit me…maybe it wasn’t anything electrical or fuel mixture or vacuum…maybe it just wasn’t shifting correctly when I slowed down or stopped because the transmission fluid was so low.
I filled it up appropriately with fluid, reset the computer, and it is now on tank 4 with no stalls. AND, it is running strong, not like it’s an underpowered truck with 200k+ miles now. I ran it like that for at least 7 years, hauling things, beating the heck out of it.
So, I feel really dumb, but thankful that she seems to have finally told me definitively what was wrong. Can’t believe the thirsty old transmission survived the abuse and appears to be running properly. Another full gas tank with no issues and I will let my wife drive it again…it was that dangerous with the frequent stalling.
I find some comfort in knowing that two mechanics who work on cars for a living also missed it.
It would randomly stall when I was at red lights, stop signs, and sometimes when coming to stops or slowing down. More so when the weather was warmer. I tried: MAF sensor, idle air control valve, evap valve, new coil, cleaned throttle body, replaced leaky brake booster, checked for vacuum leaks, probably several other things. I would get hopeful a few times, but it always came back. I would get codes about lean cylinders.
Here is the part where I feel dumb. It started having problems shifting into drive out of park. I’ve had that before on a 70s chevy truck that leaked transmission fluid, so I knew that my fluid was probably low. I changed fluid and filter when I got it in 2008, hadn’t checked fluid once since then. I pull out the dipstick, not even registering on the dipstick. I chastised myself for being dumb and not checking it.
Then it hit me…maybe it wasn’t anything electrical or fuel mixture or vacuum…maybe it just wasn’t shifting correctly when I slowed down or stopped because the transmission fluid was so low.
I filled it up appropriately with fluid, reset the computer, and it is now on tank 4 with no stalls. AND, it is running strong, not like it’s an underpowered truck with 200k+ miles now. I ran it like that for at least 7 years, hauling things, beating the heck out of it.
So, I feel really dumb, but thankful that she seems to have finally told me definitively what was wrong. Can’t believe the thirsty old transmission survived the abuse and appears to be running properly. Another full gas tank with no issues and I will let my wife drive it again…it was that dangerous with the frequent stalling.
I find some comfort in knowing that two mechanics who work on cars for a living also missed it.
